Sensor assembly body, seal device, and rolling bearing device motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

Balls are interposed between respective raceway surfaces of inner and outer ring members, and a seal apparatus is provided between shoulder portions of the inner and outer ring members. The seal apparatus comprises an outer ring-side seal ring fixed to the outer ring member, and an inner ring-side seal ring fixed to the inner ring member. A pulser ring is fixed to a ring-shaped core metal of the inner ring-side seal ring. In an outer diameter side of the ring-shaped core metal of the outer ring-side seal ring, a magnetic sensor is molded with resin by an external member to be integrated therein. A connector connected to the magnetic sensor is formed consecutive with the external member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rolling bearing apparatus forvehicles for rotatably supporting an axle of a vehicle such as anautomobile or the like on a vehicle body. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to a sensor assembly and a seal apparatus incorporatedinto a rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles.

Conventionally, there is a bearing apparatus for rotatably supporting anaxle of an automobile with respect to a vehicle body, comprising arotation detector used for ABS (anti-lock brake system) or the like (forexample, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No.8-43411). With such a bearing apparatus, a rolling member is interposedbetween the respective raceway surfaces of an inner ring outwardlyfitted to the axle and serving as a rotating ring and an outer ringfixed to the vehicle body and serving as a fixed ring, and a clearancebetween the inner and the outer rings is sealed by a seal apparatus. Arotation detector is constituted so that a change in a magnetic field ofa pulser ring fixed to the inner ring constituting the rotating ring isdetected by a sensor and the detection signal is transmitted to anelectronic circuit of the vehicle body via a wire harness.

Generally, the sensor is fixed to a knuckle and the electronic circuitis provided on the vehicle body. Therefore, since the knuckle isconnected to a damper against swinging of the vehicle body duringtraveling, vibration of the vehicle body is not transmitted to theknuckle. Therefore, while the electronic circuit provided on the vehiclebody vibrates with the swinging of the vehicle body, the sensor fixed tothe knuckle is not affected by vibration of the vehicle body. Thus,there is the concern that the wire harness for connecting the sensor andthe electronic circuit may be broken by vibration of the vehicle body.

In addition, in order to save space, a sensor for the latest ABS iscontained in the seal apparatus, which is a seal pack and which isfitted on a bearing apparatus. Therefore, there is the problem that ifthe wire harness breaks and the ABS sensor is in an abnormal state, theentire hub unit, which contains the bearing apparatus, has to bereplaced, making maintenance laborious and leading to expensive costs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a sensor assembly includes aseal ring, a sensor integrally provided in the above seal ring, anexternal member which molds the above sensor with resin to integrate thesensor and the above seal ring, and a sensor-side connector, one endbeing formed consecutive with said external member, and the other endconstituted to be attachably/detachably connected to a wire harness-sideconnector.

Preferably, the other end of the above sensor-side connector isinstalled so as to extend radially outward.

Preferably, the above sensor is a magnetic sensor, the above seal ringis an outer ring side seal ring made of a nonmagnetic material, and theabove magnetic sensor is arranged on an outer diameter side of the aboveouter ring side seal ring.

A seal apparatus of the present invention includes an outer ring-sideseal ring which is fixed to an outer ring member and composed of anonmagnetic material, an inner ring-side seal ring fixed to an innerring member, a magnetic sensor provided on the outer diameter side ofthe above outer ring-side seal ring, a magnetic material ring whichtogether with the above magnetic sensor constitutes a rotation detectorand which is integrally provided in a position opposite in the radialdirection to the above magnetic sensor in the above inner ring-side sealring, an external member in which the above magnetic sensor isintegrally resin molded with the magnetic sensor and the above outerring-side seal ring, and a sensor-side connector, one end of which isconsecutive with the above external member, and the other end of whichis constituted to be attachably/detachably connected to a connector onthe wire harness-side.

Preferably, the above magnetic material ring is a pulser ring in whichN-poles and S-poles alternating in the circumferential direction aremagnetized at a predetermined pitch.

A rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles of the present inventionincludes an outer ring member fixed to a vehicle body side, an innerring member which is disposed concentrically with the above outer ringmember, a plurality of rolling members which are rotatably disposedbetween the above outer ring member and the above inner ring member, anouter ring-side seal ring fixed to the above outer ring member, an innerring-side seal ring that with the above outer ring-side seal ringconstitutes a seal apparatus and is fixed to the above inner ringmember, a magnetic sensor integrally provided in the above outerring-side seal ring, an external member in which the above magneticsensor is integrally resin molded with the magnetic sensor and the aboveouter ring-side seal ring, a sensor-side connector, one end of which isconsecutive with the above external member, and the other end of whichis constituted to be attachably/detachably connected to a wireharness-side connector, and a pulser ring which together with the abovemagnetic sensor constitutes a rotation detector and is fixed on a sideof the above the inner ring-side seal ring.

Preferably, the other end of the above sensor-side connector is disposedso as to extend outward in the radial direction.

As the rotation detector, for example, an active type detector theoutput of which changes in accordance with a change in a magnetic fluxis used; a magnetic material ring includes the pulser ring, and themagnetic sensor includes a magnetic sensor comprising two magneticdetection portions arranged circumferentially apart from each other.

According to the rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles of the presentinvention, the rotation detector comprising the magnetic sensor and themagnetic material ring are integrated with the seal apparatus, and thesensor-side connector connected to the magnetic sensor is formed to beconsecutive with a resin-made external member in which the magneticsensor is molded, so that the seal apparatus, the rotation detector, andthe sensor-side connector are integrated.

The wire harness for connecting the magnetic sensor and an electroniccircuit of the vehicle body is connected at one end to the electroniccircuit and has at the other end a wire harness-side connector which isattachable/detachable with respect to the sensor-side connector which isintegrated in the magnetic sensor, and the electronic circuit isconnected to the magnetic sensor by connecting the wire harness-sideconnector to the sensor-side connector which is integrated with themagnetic sensor. Thus, the wire harness is separated from the integratedbody comprising the seal apparatus, the rotation detector, and thesensor-side connector, so that when the wire harness is broken by swingof the vehicle body during traveling, it is easy to remove just the wireharness from the sensor-side connector portion for replacement, therebymaking maintenance simple and inexpensive.

The wire harness is separated from the integrated body comprising theseal apparatus, the rotation detector, and the sensor-side connector, sothat when the bearing apparatus is fixed to a knuckle in a state wherethe integrated body comprising the seal apparatus, the rotationdetector, and the sensor-side connector is mounted to the bearingapparatus, there is no wire harness that interferes with the securingoperation, thereby improving mountability in vehicles.

The magnetic sensor which is molded by the resin-made external member isprovided in the outer ring-side seal ring, and the magnetic materialring is provided in the inner ring-side seal ring, so that the magneticsensor and the magnetic material ring are integrated into the sealapparatus, thereby making the rotation detector more compact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accompanying the specification are figures which assist in illustratingthe embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a rolling bearing apparatus forvehicles according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an expanded sectional view of a principal part of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an expanded sectional view of a seal apparatus portion of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 (A) is a front side perspective illustration of the sealapparatus;

FIG. 4 (B) is a rear side perspective illustration of the sealapparatus;

FIG. 5 (A) is a signal waveform diagram for one of the two magneticdetection portions constituting the magnetic sensor;

FIG. 5 (B) is a signal waveform diagram for the other one of the twomagnetic detection portions comprising constituting the magnetic sensor;

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of the magnetic sensor;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective illustration of a knuckle;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an enlarged principal part ofthe rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective illustration of the seal apparatus ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a partial perspective illustration of an outer ring memberand a knuckle according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a partial perspective illustration of an outer ring memberand a knuckle according to a modification;

FIG. 12 is a perspective illustration of viewing an outer ring-side sealring from the front side;

FIG. 13 is a side view showing circumstance when the outer ring-sideseal ring is removed from the rolling bearing apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view further showing a rolling bearingapparatus for vehicles according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective illustration of the outer ring-side seal ringused for the rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles of FIG. 14 as seenfrom the front side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles according to an embodiment ofthe present invention will be explained below in detail with referenceto the drawings. A rolling bearing apparatus 1 for vehicles is used onthe driving wheel side of an automobile. Turning to FIG. 1, the leftside of the figure illustrates a vehicle's outer side and the right sideis the vehicle's inner side. Although the rolling bearing apparatus 1 isfor driving wheels, it can be also be used for a coupled driving wheel.

An outer ring member 2 is constituted such that a flange portion 21formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof as a fixed ring is fixedto a knuckle 9 via a bolt 10, and the outer ring member 2 is therebyunrotatably supported by the vehicle body. Two outer ring racewaysurfaces are formed on an inner peripheral surface of the outer ringmember 2 in the axial direction. An inner ring member 3, as a rotatingring, is constituted by a hub wheel 31 and an inner ring 32. The hubwheel 31 and the inner ring 32 are rotatably supported by the outer ringmember 2 via rolling members 4 and 5 which are constituted respectivelyby balls in rows disposed equidistantly in the circumferential directionarranged in a snap cage 6, respectively. A flange portion 34 isintegrally formed facing outward in the radial direction on an outerperipheral surface of the vehicle outer side of the hub wheel 31. Abrake disc rotor and a tire wheel are mounted on the flange portion 34,and a wheel is mounted on the tire wheel.

An outer peripheral surface more to the vehicle inner side than theflange portion 34 of the hub wheel 31 is used as an inner ring racewaysurface for the rolling members 4 of one row. A cylindrical minordiameter portion 31 a is formed on the hub wheel 31 vehicles outer side,and the inner ring 32 is outwardly fitted to an outer peripheral surfaceof this minor diameter portion 31 a. An outer peripheral surface of theinner ring 32 is used as an inner ring raceway surface for the rollingmembers 5 of the other row. Fastened to an edge surface on the vehicleinner side of the inner ring 32 is an edge section deformed outwardly inthe radial direction of the minor diameter portion 31 a of the hub wheel31.

A shaft portion 13 is integrally formed with a bowl-shaped outer ringmember 12 of a constant-velocity joint. The shaft portion 13 is insertedin a central hole of the hub wheel 31 via a spline. A nut 14 is screwedto an edge section of the vehicle's outer side of the shaft portion 13,and is fastened to an end surface of a recess portion 33 of the hubwheel 31. With such a constitution, a required preload is applied to therolling members 4 and 5 of both rows and the bowl-shaped outer ringmember 12 is integrated with the hub wheel 31 to integrally rotatetherewith.

Seal apparatuses 7 and 8 hermitically seal an annular bearing space 11between the outer ring member 2 and the inner ring member 3 from bothsides in the axial direction at the vehicle outer side and the vehicleinner side respectively. With such a constitution, the seal apparatuses7 and 8 prevent a lubricant inside the annular bearing space 11 fromleaking to the outside and prevent mud, water or the like frompenetrating from the outside. The seal apparatus 7 is constituted, forexample, by adhering a rubber lip (not shown) that is in sliding contactwith the hub wheel 31 to a ring-shaped core metal (not shown) which isinwardly fitted to the outer ring member 2.

Turning to FIG. 3, the seal apparatus 8 is constituted by combining anouter ring-side seal ring 81, which is one component of the sensorassembly, and an inner ring-side seal ring 82. The sensor assembly isconstituted by the outer ring-side seal ring 81, a magnetic sensor 15,an external member 17 and the like.

The outer ring-side seal ring 81 is attached on the outer ring member 2side, and is constituted by a ring-shaped core metal 83, and a main lip84 and an auxiliary lip 85 that cover this ring-shaped core metal 83.The ring-shaped core metal 83 includes a cylindrical portion 83 aextending in the axial direction, and a ring-shaped plate portion 83 bextending inwardly in the radial direction from an axial direction inneredge side of the cylindrical portion 83 a. The ring-shaped core metal 83is a nonmagnetic material ring, and is made of a nonmagnetic materialsuch as nonmagnetic stainless steel or the like.

The inner ring-side seal ring 82 is attached on the inner ring 32 side,and is constituted by a ring-shaped core metal 86 and an axial directionlip 87 and a radial direction lip 88 that cover this ring-shaped coremetal 86. The ring-shaped core metal 86 comprises a cylindrical portion86 a which extends in the axial direction and radially opposes thecylindrical portion 83 a, and a ring-shaped plate portion 86 b whichextends radially outwardly from an axial direction outer edge side ofthe cylindrical portion 86 a, and axially opposes the ring-shaped plateportion 83 b. The respective lips 84, 85, 87, and 88 are constituted bya rubber such as nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) or the like, and arevulcanized to adhere to the ring-shaped core metal 83 and 86.

The magnetic sensor 15 for detecting a rotating state of the inner ringmember is integrally incorporated in the outer ring-side seal ring 81and the pulser ring 16 constituting a magnetic material ring isintegrally incorporated in the inner ring-side seal ring 82. Therotation detector for detecting the rotation of the inner ring 32 isconstituted by the magnetic sensor 15 and the pulser ring 16.

The magnetic sensor 15 is mounted in non-contact fashion above the outerperipheral surface of the cylindrical portion 83 a in the ring-shapedcore metal 83 of the outer ring-side seal ring 81, and is provided bymeans of integrally molding (insert molding) the external member 17which resin molds the magnetic sensor 15 on the outer diameter of thecylindrical portion 83 a. The external member 17 is constituted by anengineering plastic such as poly-phenylene-sulphide (PPS),poly-butylene-terephthalate (PBT), poly-amide (PA) or the like.

Turning to FIG. 2, a sensor-side connector 20 is integrally molded withthe external member 17. The sensor-side connector 20 is constituted sothat one end thereof is disposed on the external member 17 and the otherend thereof extends in the outer diameter direction, and isattachably/detachably connected to a wire harness-side connector (notshown) connected to an electronic circuit of the vehicle body. Thesensor-side connector 20 is preferably constituted by an engineeringplastic, such as PPS, PBT, PA, or the like. A pin 19 for connection withthe wire harness-side connector protrudes from a bottom face of a recessportion 29 a on the other end side inside the sensor-side connector 20,and the magnetic sensor 15 and the pin 19 are connected with a signalline 18.

A ring-shaped outer ring member contact surface 17 a which contacts anaxial end face 2 b of the outer ring member 2 is formed on the externalmember 17, as shown FIGS. 4 (A) and 4 (B). A claw for interlocking withthe wire harness-side connector may be provided on a periphery of thesensor-side connector 20.

The magnetic sensor 15 is constituted by two magnetic detection portionswhich are disposed separated from each other in the circumferentialdirection and comprise a Hall element, a magnetoresistive element or thelike; it detects rotational direction in addition to rotational angle.The rotational phase relationship between detection signals of the twomagnetic sensor portions is such that the magnetic sensors are arrangedsuch that when one magnetic sensor produces a first rectangular wavesignal as shown in FIG. 5 (A), the other magnetic sensor produces asecond rectangular wave signal, the phase of which is shifted from thatof the first rectangular signal by 90 degrees, as shown in FIG. 5(B).Whether the rotational direction of the inner ring 3 is to the right orto the left is determined based on the phase advance or phase delaybetween both detection signals that the respective magnetic detectionportions produce.

A Hall IC in which two Hall elements 22 are embedded, as shown in FIG.6, is preferably used in the magnetic sensor 15 as the magneticdetection portion. That is, two Hall elements 22 are arranged with aninterval of λ/4 so that a phase differential between outputs fromrespective Hall elements may be 90 degrees with respect to a magnetizingpitch λ of the pulser ring 16, thereby making it possible to detect therotational direction. The magnetizing pitch A is a total length ofmagnetization of a N-pole and S-pole.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the pulser ring 16 is formed by vulcanizingand molding rubber that includes a magnetic powder, and is magnetizedwith a configuration such that, for example, N-pole pieces and S-polepieces are alternatingly disposed in the circumferential direction. Thepulser ring 16 is fixed to an inner surface of the ring-shaped plateportion 86 b in the ring-shaped core metal 86 of the inner ring-sideseal ring 82. The magnetic sensor 15 is fixed to a position at which itis capable of detecting a change in the magnetic field of the pulserring 16. Incidentally, the sensing direction (inner diameter direction)of the magnetic sensor 15 and the magnetized direction (axial direction)of the pulser ring 16 are orthogonal to each other.

The seal apparatus 8 is constituted so that, with respect to the outerring-side seal ring 81 in which the magnetic sensor 15 is incorporated,the external member 17 is press-fitted to a shoulder portion 2 a of theinner peripheral surface of the outer ring member 2; and with regard tothe inner ring-side seal ring 82 in which the pulser ring 16 is mounted,the ring-shaped core metal 86 is press-fitted to a shoulder portion 32 aof the outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 32. The seal apparatus8 is thereby attached tightly to the outer ring member 2 and the innerring 32. The seal apparatus 8 is positioned such that an outer ringcontact surface 17 a is in contact with the axial direction end face 2 bof the outer ring member 2.

In accordance with the rolling bearing apparatus 1 thus constituted, asillustrated in FIG. 1, the edge section on the vehicle inner side of theouter ring member 2 is inwardly fitted to the knuckle 9, and the flangeportion 21 of the outer ring member 2 is fixed to the knuckle 9 with thebolt 10. The knuckle 9 is formed into a cylindrical shape, and as shownin FIGS. 1, 2, and, in particular, 7, a notch portion 91 in which thesensor-side connector 20 is inserted is formed on the vehicle 10 outerside. The rolling bearing apparatus 1 is fixed to the knuckle 9 in astate where the sensor-side connector 20 has been inserted in the notchportion 91.

Turning again to FIG. 2, the wire harness-side connector is provided atthe tip of the wire harness connected to the electronic circuit of thevehicle body. The sensor-side connector 20 is attachably/detachablyconnected to this wire harness-side connector. Since the wireharness-side connector is connected to the sensor-side connector 20, themagnetic sensor 15 is connected to the electronic circuit of the vehiclebody via the connection with the sensor-side connector 20 and the wireharness-side connector.

In accordance with the rolling bearing apparatus 1 described above, whenthe inner ring member 3 is rotated in a state where the outer ringmember 2 is unrotatably fixed to the knuckle 9, the respective polepieces of the pulser ring 16 that integrally rotate with the inner ringmember 3 successively oppose the respective magnetic detection portionsof the magnetic sensor 15. At such time, the position of the pulser ring16 opposed to the magnetic detection portions of the magnetic sensor 15is successively changed, so that the direction of the magnetic fluxesgenerated from the pulser ring 16 alternates, and first and secondrectangular wave signals are output from the magnetic sensor 15. Thewaveform period of each of these rectangular wave signals is changedaccording to the rotational phase and rotational speed of the pulserring 16. By processing the waveform of each rectangular wave signal, therotational phase, the rotational speed, the rotational frequency, therotational direction and the like of the inner ring member 3 aredetermined.

In accordance with the rolling bearing apparatus 1 described above, thewire harness is separated from the integrated body constituted by theseal apparatus 8, the magnetic sensor 15, the pulser ring 16, and thesensor-side connector 20. Because of this separation, when the wireharness is broken by swing of the vehicle body during traveling, thewire harness-side connector can be removed with ease from thesensor-side connector to replace the wire harnesses, thereby makingmaintenance easy and inexpensive.

Since the wire harness is separated from the integrated body constitutedby the seal apparatus 8, the magnetic sensor 15, the pulser ring 16, andthe sensor-side connector 20, when the rolling bearing apparatus 1 isfixed to the knuckle 9 in a state where such integrated object is fittedonto the rolling bearing apparatus 1, there is no wire harnessinterfering with the fixing operation, thereby improving mountability invehicles.

The pulser ring 16 is provided in the ring-shaped core metal 86 of theinner ring-side seal ring 82, and the magnetic sensor 15 is provided onthe ring-shaped core metal 83 of the outer ring-side seal ring 81, sothat the pulser ring 16 and the magnetic sensor 15 are integrated in theseal apparatus 8. According to this integrated configuration, therotation detector can be made compact and it can be installed with easeeven in a small space such as the driving wheel side.

Turning again to FIG. 3, the pulser ring 16 is fixed to the ring-shapedcore metal 86 of the inner ring-side seal ring 82, and the magneticsensor 15 is resin molded by the external member 17 so as to beintegrated in the ring-shaped core metal 83 of the outer ring-side sealring 81, improving the sealing performance of the pulser ring 16 and themagnetic sensor 15. Such a constitution improves dust resistance of therolling bearing apparatus.

Since the signal line 18 of the magnetic sensor 15 is resin molded bythe external member 17, a connection part between the magnetic sensor 15and the signal line 18 is reinforced, preventing breakage of the signalline 18. Furthermore, since the wire harness is separated from theintegrated body constituted by the seal apparatus 8, the magnetic sensor15, the pulser ring 16, and the sensor-side connector 20, the wireharness weight is not applied on the external member 17, therebypreventing degradation of the sealing performance of the external member17 due to lack of strength while the wire harness is attached to theconnector 20.

The sensor-side connector 20 is integrally formed in the external member17 which resin molds the magnetic sensor 15 of the outer ring-side sealring 81, giving it excellent insulation and vibration resistanceperformance, and lowering costs.

The sensor-side connector 20 is inserted in the notch portion 91 formedon the vehicle outer side of the knuckle 9, so that it is not necessaryto form a through hole at a midway point of the axial direction of theknuckle 9 as in the conventional art. This helps prevent deteriorationof strength of the knuckle 9. Furthermore, since the sensor-sideconnector 20 projecting in the outer diameter direction fits into thenotch portion 91 (FIGS. 1 and 7) from the vehicle's outer side in astate where the rolling bearing apparatus 1 is provided with the sealapparatus 8 in which the sensor-side connector 20 is integrally formed,the rolling bearing apparatus 1 can be fixed to the knuckle 9 with ease.

Since the magnetic sensor 15 is molded by the external member 17 and isintegrally formed with the outer ring-side seal ring 81, the magneticsensor 15 is protected from the external environment, thereby improvingreliability.

Another embodiment of the present invention will be explained withreference to FIGS. 8 through 10.

In accordance with a rolling bearing apparatus of this embodiment,notchs 22 and 91 having a U-shape, V-shape or similar shape throughwhich the connector 20 penetrates are formed in the outer ring member 2and the knuckle 9, respectively. An edge section in the axial directionof the outer ring member 2 is installed in an extending manner on thevehicle's inner side further inward than an edge section in the axialdirection of the inner ring member 3 (edge surface in the axialdirection of the cylindrical minor diameter portion 31 a of the hubwheel 31). The notch 22 is formed in an extended edge section on thevehicle inner side of the outer ring member 2.

In the seal apparatus 8 on the vehicle inner side, in a state where theseal rings 81 and 82 have been assembled, with respect to the outerring-side seal ring 81, the external member 17 is press-fitted to theshoulder portion 2 a of the inner peripheral surface of the outer ringmember 2; and with respect to the inner ring-side seal ring 82, thering-shaped core metal 86 is press-fitted to a shoulder portion 32 a ofthe outer peripheral surface of the inner ring 32. The seal apparatus 8is thereby attached tightly to the outer ring member 2 and the innerring 32. The sensor-side connector 20 extends radially outwardly fromthe external member 17, and the sensor-side connector 20 is inserted inthe notch 22 of the outer ring member 2 for positioning.

Next, in the rolling bearing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment,an edge section on the vehicle inner side of the outer ring member 2 isinwardly fitted to the knuckle 9 from the vehicle outer side, and theflange portion 21 of the outer ring member 2 is fixed to the knuckle 9with the bolt 10. The knuckle 9 is formed into a cylindrical shape, thenotch portion 91 in which the sensor-side connector 20 is inserted isformed on the vehicle's outer side, and the rolling bearing apparatus 1is fixed to the knuckle 9 in a state where the sensor-side connector 20is inserted in the notch portion 91. The same operational effects aswith the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 can be obtained in arolling bearing apparatus 1 thus constituted.

The axial direction edge section of the outer ring member 2 is disposedin an extending manner further to the inside of the vehicle than theaxial direction edge section of the inner ring member 3, and in a statewhere the external member 17 is press-fitted to the shoulder portion 2 aof the outer ring member 2, the area of the outer peripheral surface 17b of the external member 17 that is in contact with the shoulder portion2 a is increased. Thus the press fit strength with respect to theshoulder portion 2 a of the external member 17 is improved.

The external member 17, as shown in FIG. 9, may be constituted so thatthe axial width of the outer peripheral surface 17 b is not increasedfor the entire circumferential direction, but rather for only theportion of the sensor-side connector 20.

A modification of the rolling bearing apparatus according to thisembodiment shown in FIGS. 8 through 10 is shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is apartial perspective illustration of the outer ring member 2 and theknuckle 9 according to the modification. This modification isconstituted so that the vehicle outer side of the knuckle 9 is formed soas to be recessed toward the vehicle inner side with the exception of afixed portion 93 to the support flange 21, leaving a space 92. Thesensor-side connector 20 is made to pass through the notch 22 of theouter ring member 2 and the space 92 of the knuckle 9, so that therolling bearing apparatus 1 can be fixed to the knuckle 9 withoutinterference from the sensor-side connector.

As seen in FIGS. 12 and 13, which illustrate another embodiment of theinvention, the outer ring-side seal ring 81 with which the magneticsensor 15 is integrated is constituted so as to be easily removed usinga removal jig 40. The removal jig 40 comprises a circular body 41, apair of arms 42 and 42 respectively fixed to upper and lower positionsopposing each other at 180 degrees at the outer circumferential edge ofthe body 41, and a screw axis 43 which penetrates a center of the body41 and is screwed therein. The arm 42 comprises a fixed link 42 a fixedto the body 41, and a movable link 42 b bendably attached to a tip ofthe fixed link 42 a via a joint. A claw 42 c is provided at a tip of themovable link 42 b. A circular backing pad 43 a which contacts an endface of the vehicle's inner side of the hub wheel 31 is integrallyprovided at one end of the screw axis 43. A rotational operating knob 43b is integrally provided at the other end of the screw axis 43.

A notch 17 b serving as a hook portion on which the claw 42 c of theremoval jig 40 is hooked is provided in several places on the periphery(for example, four places equidistantly disposed in the circumferentialdirection) of the flange portion 17 a in the external member 17 of theouter ring-side seal ring 81.

An explanation will now be made of the procedure for removing the outerring-side seal ring 81. In a state where the outer ring-side seal ring81 is attached to a shoulder portion of the inner peripheral surface ofthe outer ring member 2, a depression is made between the notch 17 b andthe edge section on the vehicle inner side of the outer ring member 2.As shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the backing pad 43 a of theremoval jig 40 is in contact with the end face of the vehicle inner sideof the hub wheel 31, the claws 42 c and 42 c at the heads of the arms 42and 42 of the removal jig 40 are then hooked to the depression mentionedabove to turn the screw axis 43. The body 41 and the arms 42 and 42 arethereby rotated, so that the outer ring-side seal ring 81 is drawn outtogether with this body 41 to be removed from the outer ring member 2.

As described above, the outer ring-side seal ring 81 can be easilyremoved using the removal jig 40, so that even when the magnetic sensor15 integrated with the outer ring-side seal ring 81 is not functioningproperly, it is possible to replace it quickly and simply.

Incidentally, with regard to the outer ring-side seal ring 81 with whichthe magnetic sensor 15 is integrated, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, theremay also exist a type such that the wire harness 21 is embedded in theexternal member 17 without a sensor-side connector 20 being provided,and the signal line 21 a of this wire harness 21 is directly connectedto the magnetic sensor 15. Incidentally, a protrusion 17 c forpreventing the wire harness 21 from bending is provided projectingoutward radially in a slanting direction at a predetermined peripheralposition of the external member 17. Also, with regard to such a type ofthe outer ring-side seal ring 81, a notch 17 b is provided in theexternal member 17 that is the same as that of the embodiment describedabove.

The present invention may also include a rotation detector without aseal function. Although not shown in the figures, for example, withregard to the outer ring-side seal ring 81, the sensor assembly may beconstituted without the ring-shaped plate portion 83 b and the lips 84and 85 of the ring-shaped core metal 83, and with regard to the innerring-side seal ring 82, this may be constituted without the lips 87 and88. Even in a rotation detector thus constituted, the notch 17 b isprovided in the external member 17 just as in the embodiment describedabove. The above hook portion to the external member 17 can beconstituted by making a depression in a radial direction end surface ofthe flange portion 17 a of the external member 17 instead of the notch17 b.

In use, the present invention can be applied to a rolling bearingapparatus for rotatably supporting an axle of a vehicle such as anautomobile or the like with respect to a vehicle body.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not as restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,indicated by the appended claims and their combination in whole or inpart rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that comewithin the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to beembraced within their scope.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A sensor assembly, said assembly being adapted for detachably connecting to a wire harness-side connector, said sensor assembly comprising: a seal ring; a sensor integrally provided in said seal ring; an external member, said external member molding said sensor with resin for integrating said sensor and said seal ring; and a sensor side connector, said connector having one end, said one end being formed consecutive with said external member, said connector having another end, said other end being adapted for detachably connecting to the wire harness side connector.
 22. The sensor assembly of claim 21, wherein the other end of said sensor side connector extends radially outward.
 23. The sensor assembly of claim 22, wherein said external member and said sensor side connector are integrally molded with engineering plastic, said assembly further comprising: a signal line, said signal line having one end, said one end being connected to said sensor; a pin, said pin having one end and said signal line having another end, said one end of said pin being connected to said other end of said signal line, wherein said signal line and said pin are embedded inside said external member and said sensor side connector; a recess, said recess being adapted for detachably connecting to said wire harness side connector, said recess being provided at the other end of said sensor side connector; and said pin having another end and said recess having a bottom face, said other end of said pin protruding from said bottom face of said recess.
 24. The sensor assembly of claim 21, wherein said sensor includes a magnetic sensor, said seal ring being an outer ring side seal ring, said outer seal ring further comprising a nonmagnetic material, and said magnetic sensor being arranged on an outer diameter of said outer seal ring.
 25. The sensor assembly of claim 24, wherein said magnetic sensor includes two magnetic detectors, said detectors being circumferentially separated from each other, and signals output from said detectors being phase differentiated by substantially 90 degrees.
 26. A seal apparatus, said seal apparatus being adapted for detachably connecting to a wire harness-side connector, said seal apparatus comprising: an outer ring member; an outer ring side seal ring, said outer seal ring being fixed to said outer ring member, said outer seal ring and further comprising a nonmagnetic material; an inner ring member; an inner ring side seal ring, said inner seal ring being fixed to said inner ring member; a magnetic sensor, said sensor being provided on an outer diameter of said outer seal ring; a magnetic material ring, said magnetic ring and said magnetic sensor forming a rotation detector, said rotation detector being integrally provided in said inner seal ring, said rotation detector radially opposing said magnetic sensor; an external member, said external member molding said magnetic sensor with resin for integrating said magnetic sensor and said outer seal ring; and a sensor side connector, said connector having one end, said one end being formed consecutive with said external member, said connector having another end, said other end being adapted for detachably connecting to the wire harness side connector.
 27. The seal apparatus of claim 26, wherein said magnetic material ring is a pulser ring, said pulser ring being adapted for producing N and S poles, said N and S poles alternating in a circumferential direction, said N and S poles being magnetized at a predetermined pitch.
 28. The seal apparatus of claim 26, wherein: said outer seal ring includes a first cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion extending axially; said outer seal ring having a second ring shaped plate portion, said second plate portion extending radially inwardly from an axial inner edge of said first cylindrical portion; said first cylindrical portion having an outer peripheral surface, said outer peripheral surface being integral with said magnetic sensor in a non-contact manner, said external member molding said magnetic sensor; said inner ring side seal ring including a second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion extending axially and radially opposing said first cylindrical portion; said inner seal ring including a second ring shaped plate portion, said second plate portion extending radially outwardly from an axial outer edge portion of said second cylindrical portion, said second plate portion axially opposing said first ring shaped plate portion; and said pulser ring being attached to an inner surface of said second ring shaped plate portion so that said pulser ring radially opposes said magnetic sensor.
 29. The seal apparatus of claim 26, wherein said pulser ring having N and S poles, said pulser ring being magnetized at a predetermined pitch so that the N poles and S poles alternate in the circumferential direction; said magnetic sensor further comprising first and second magnetic detectors, said detectors being spaced circumferentially apart from each other at a predetermined distance, said predetermined distance being substantially ¼ of said pitch; and both magnetic detectors being adapted for outputting rectangular wave signals, the signal phases being mutually shifted by substantially 90 degrees.
 30. A rolling bearing apparatus for vehicles, said apparatus being adapted for detachably connecting to a wire harness side connector, said apparatus comprising: an outer ring member, said outer member being fixed to the vehicle body; an inner ring member, said inner member being concentrically disposed with said outer ring member; a plurality of rolling members, said rolling members being rotatably disposed between said outer ring member and said inner ring member; an outer ring side seal ring, said outer seal ring being fixed to said outer ring member; an inner ring side seal ring, said inner seal ring and said outer seal ring forming a seal apparatus, said seal apparatus being fixed to said inner ring member; a magnetic sensor, said magnetic sensor being integrally provided in said outer seal ring; an external member, said external member molding said magnetic sensor with resin for integrating said magnetic sensor and said outer seal ring; a sensor side connector, said connector having one end, said one end being formed consecutive with said external member, said connector having another end, the other end being adapted for detachably connecting to the wire harness side connector; and a pulser ring, said pulser ring and said magnetic sensor forming a rotation detector, said rotation detector being fixed on said inner seal ring.
 31. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein: said magnetic sensor includes two magnetic detectors, said detectors being circumferentially separated from each other, each of said detectors being adapted for producing an output signal, said output signals being mutually phase shifted by substantially 90 degrees; and said pulser ring being adapted for providing N and S poles, said N and S poles being magnetized so that said N and S poles alternate circumferentially at a predetermined pitch, said magnetized pitch being substantially λ, and the phase differential between respective outputs from the magnetic detectors being substantially λ/4.
 32. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein the other end of said sensor side connector extends radially outwardly.
 33. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein: said outer ring side seal ring includes a first cylindrical portion, said first cylindrical portion extending axially; said outer ring side seal ring including a second ring shaped plate portion, said second plate portion extending radially inwardly from an axial inner edge portion of said first cylindrical portion; said magnetic sensor being integral with an outer peripheral surface of said first cylindrical portion in a non contact manner, said external member molding said magnetic sensor with resin; and said inner ring side seal ring including a second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portion extending axially and radially opposing said first cylindrical portion; said inner seal ring including a second ring shaped plate portion, said second plate portion extending radially outwardly from an axial outer edge portion of said second cylindrical portion, said plate portion axially opposing said first ring shaped plate portion; and said pulser ring being attached to an inner surface of said second ring shaped plate portion so that said pulser ring radially opposes said magnetic sensor.
 34. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein said external member comprises an annular contact surface, said contact surface axially contacting an end face of said outer ring member thereby positioning said seal apparatus.
 35. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein said outer ring member further comprises a notch and said sensor side connector being inserted in said notch so that said outer ring member connects to the vehicle body side.
 36. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein said vehicle body side comprises a notch and said sensor side connector being inserted in said notch so that said outer ring member connects to the vehicle body side.
 37. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein said inner ring member comprises a hub wheel, said hub wheel having a flange, said flange being adapted for attaching a wheel at an outer peripheral surface of a vehicle outer side; and said hub wheel having an inner ring, said inner ring being outwardly connected to a cylindrical minor diameter of the vehicle inner side of the hub wheel; and said inner seal ring being fixed to said inner ring.
 38. The sensor assembly of claim 21, wherein a hook portion is provided at a predetermined peripheral position on said external member, said hook portion being adapted for hooking a removal jig, the removal jig being adapted for removing said sensor assembly from said outer ring member.
 39. The seal apparatus of claim 26, wherein a hook portion is provided at a predetermined peripheral position on said external member, said hook portion being adapted for hooking a removal jig, the removal jib being adapted for removing said outer ring side seal ring from said outer ring member.
 40. The rolling bearing apparatus of claim 30, wherein a hook portion is provided at a predetermined peripheral position on said external member, said hook portion being adapted for hooking a removal jig, the removal jib being adapted for removing said outer ring side seal ring from said outer ring member. 